Starfleet Corps of Engineers

The Starfleet Corps of Engineers (also referred to as "Starfleet Engineering Corps" or SCE) was a special projects division of Starfleet, assigned to deal with projects and missions requiring high degrees of engineering expertise.

The chain of command on SCE ships differed from other Starfleet vessels in that, while the head of the SCE team served also as the ship's first officer, this person also reported directly to the Starfleet Corps of Engineers Command Liaison. (SCEeBook: Grand Designs)

An SCE team commanded by Captain Ochoa worked on Naia VII, mining materials vital to rebuilding Starfleet's defenses following the Battle of Wolf 359. They were ordered to meet specific quotas and to maintain those quotas despite the dangers, which led to reduced safety standards. Though an engineering achievement, the mining operation was difficult and dangerous, and the personnel particularly stressed. In 2368, a mine flooded, killing eight and injuring twenty-two. (TNG - Assimilation²comic: "Issue 2")

A team of thirty-five SCE engineers were usually assigned to Deep Space 9. However, following the Dominion War, only half of that contingent remained on the station, resulting in any qualified engineering personnel being put to work on a major refit of the station in 2376. (DS9novel: Avatar, Book One)